Non-contact measurement method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a technique for non-contact measurement of objects on a moving conveyor. A light source establishes upstream and downstream light beams across the path of motion of the conveyor to define a measuring zone. Optical sensors and associated circuitry provide a dimension analog of the duration of a deviation time interval between interception of the leading edge of an object with the downstream light beam and the interception of the trailing edge of the object with the upstream light beam. Conveyor velocity analog is generated by providing a sequence of markers equally spaced along the conveyor and timing the passage of successive markers at a predetermined point. Measurement is provided in terms of the ratio of the dimension analog and the velocity analog. To facilitate measurement of transparent objects such as glass or plastic bottles, the gauging circuitry is so constructed as to be rendered inoperative except during a short gauging interval embracing the deviation time interval. A new gauging interval is initiated in response to passage of each marker at the predetermined location.

United States Patent Flaczynski 151 3,682,554 [451 Aug. 8, 1972 [54] NON-CONTACT MEASUREMENT Primary Examiner-Ronald L. Wibert METHOD AND APPARATUS Assistant Examiner-Jeff Rothenberg [72] Inventor: Lawrence F. Flaczynski, Columbus, Attorney-Le Blane & Shut Ohm 57 ABSTRACT [73] Asslgnee: gi i Company Cleve Disclosed is a technique for non-contact measurement o of objects on a moving conveyor. A light source [22] Filed: June 19, 1970 establishes upstream and downstream light beams across the path of motion of the conveyor to define a [21] Appl' 47669 measuring zone. Optical sensors and associated circuitry provide a dimension analog of the duration of a 52 US. Cl. ..356/167, 250/219 LG, 250/223 deviation time interval between i ter p i of the 51 Int. Cl. ..G01b 11/00 leading g f an je with the qewnstream light [58] Field of Search ..356/167; 250/219 LG, 223 m the interception of t trailing edge of the ob ect with the upstream light beam. Conveyor 55 References Cited velocity analog is generated by providing a sequence 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS of markers equally spaged along the conveyor and timing the passage 0 successive markers at a predetermined point. Measurement is provided in 3,061,732 10/1962, M1lnes ..250/219 LG terms of the ratio of the dimension analog and the 3,159,749 12/1964 Dalrymple et al. ..356/167 1 a1 T f f 3,365 699 l/l968 Foster ..356/167 ve ac measu'emem trans 2 94l086 6/1960 Gottschanet al 356/167 parent ob ects such as glass or plastic bottles, the gauging circuitry is so constructed as to be rendered 3,060,791 10/1962 Tarczy-Homoch.250/219 LG ti t d h n t all 2,989,690 6/1961 Cook ..250/219 LG gaug gm 2 655 994 V1953 Vanda bet 250/219 LG bracing the deviauon time interval. A new gauging 1ng terval is initiated in response to passage of each 3,428,817 7/ 1969 Hofmeister et al. .250/219 LG marker at the predetermined location 3,180,995 4/1965 Briggs etal ..356/167 32 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures 3 \i-tt I: ELECTR. 360 28 26B LP 36 b r 36c E'J I m i I 3 1 I I V I 1 l l \l 200 206 Bl 200 l BZI ENERGY 5 SOURCE L24 PATENTEDAIIB 8 I972 SHEET OSUF 13 mowzmm 5.2

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w 0 V v (e) O I I v v I v H6. 7 (h) o |j m o I I m 0 (I) 0 L] 0 (n) L J NON-CONTACT MEASUREMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS This invention relates to a method and apparatus for non-contact production line measurement of external dimensions of a sequence of items on a rapidly moving conveyor.

Broadly stated, measurement is accomplished by timing the passage of the objects under inspection through a measuring zone defined by upstream and downstream energy beams such as light beams. Even optically transparent objects may be measured in this way by actuating the measuring equipment only for short gauging intervals during which the presence of the objects under inspection in the measuring zone is anticipated.

To account for variation in velocity of the objects being measured, a velocity measurement is made by determining the time required for movement of the conveyor carrying the objects through a predetermined distance. Particular advantages of the invention are the capability for high accuracy measurement even of small, closely spaced, rapidly moving objects, and capability for measurement of objects which are highly transparent to the form of energy defining the measurmg zone.

Devices of several types are available for non-contact dimension gauging, and some have been adapted for measurement of items passing along a production line. However, difiiculties are encountered where the objects under inspection are quite small and must be measured with a high degree of accuracy, and also where the items under inspection move rapidly past the inspection station. For such applications, heretofore available devices, have not produced completely satisfactory results.

Consider, for example, the need for production line measurement of the external dimensions of bottles or similar transparent objects produced by a high volume automatic molding operation. In one such operation, glass bottles may be produced by a high speed automatic blow molding process at the rate of to 20 bottles per second. The bottles have a nominal outside diameter of 2.500 inches and must be measured to within i0.002 inch. The bottles may leave a processing station on a conveyor with an on-center spacing of about five inches, and will pass a measuring station along the conveyor at a velocity of between about 4 and 8 feet per second.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, such an application imposes quite severe demands. Obviously, contact measurement is infeasible in view of the speed of the articles, while non-contact measurement is hindered by the fact that capacitive or inductive sensing of materials such as glass or plastic is infeasible. Optical measurement is hindered by the transparency of the material. If the bottle is still at a high temperature at the time of measurement, infra-red, and even optical radiation from the bottle (which would be essentially nondirectional) could seriously afiect the accuracy of measurement.

As an additional consideration, non-contact measurement involving motion timing requires accurate knowledge of the object velocity. As will be appreciated, a velocity measurement is essential if the velocity is not constant and a nominal value cannot be employed.

Heretofore available non-contact gauging systems suitable for production line monitoring either employ a tachometer coupled to the conveyor or provide for timing of the passage of the object under inspection between a pair of measuring stations having known spacing. The former approach has various disadvantages, and the latter, though adequate in many cases has proved unsatisfactory for optical measurement of transparent objects. Under such circumstances the reflective and refractive properties of the objects under inspection make it desirable to obtain as few measurements on the object itself as possible. Accordingly, a different approach to velocity measurement has proved to be desirable.

The present invention seeks to overcome the abovenoted limitations of heretofore available techniques in an optical system for measuring even optically transparent objects. According to this invention, article velocity is measured by timing the passage of a predetermined portion of the conveyor over a known distance defined by a series of equally spaced markers mounted on the conveyor. A transducer adapted to respond to passage of the markers provides the timing signals, and also provides a control signal to define a gauging interval during which the measurement circuits are activated. By choosing the gauging interval to embrace only the time that an object is expected to be in measuring position, it has been found possible to reduce greatly inaccuracies resulting from the high speed and close spacing of the objects and from transparency of the objects to the energy being employed in the inspection process.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a measuring zone is defined along the path of a moving conveyor by a pair of light beams directed transversely to the direction of motion of the conveyor. Associated with each light beam is a photo-sensor so positioned that an object on the conveyor will pass through the light beam and occult the associated sensor as it passes.

The conveyor is equipped with a series of zone markers equally spaced along the conveyor, preferably at the same spacing as the objects themselves. A non-contact proximity sensor is disposed adjacent the path of the zone markers, and provides an output which is employed both to measure the conveyor velocity and also to initiate the gauging interval.

Accordingly, it is the general object of this invention to provide improved method and apparatus for noncontact measurement of linear dimensions of a sequence of relatively small, rapidly moving articles.

It is another object of this invention to provide such improved gauging method and apparatus in which there is established a measuring zone defined by a known spatial energy pattern in a region of space through which the article is to pass, and in which the measurement is obtained by analysis of the efiect on the spatial energy pattern resulting from traversal of the measuring zone by the article under inspection.

A related object of this invention is to provide such improved method and apparatus in which the velocity of the article under inspection is determined by measuring the time interval required for an object carrier to traverse a predetermined distance.

A further object of this invention is to provide such improved method and apparatus in which dimensional measurements are obtained by generating a first signal representing the time interval required for passage of different portions of the article under inspection into and out of the measuring zone, by generating a second signal representing the velocity of the object under inspection as it passes through the measuring zone and by deriving a measurement signal proportional to the ratio of the first and second signals.

Another object of the invention is to provide method and apparatus for non-contact dimension measurement of a sequence of moving objects in which a measuring zone of predetermined extent is established along the path of motion of the objects and in which a measurement is made of the time diflerence between arrival of the leading edge of an object at the downstream end of the measurement zone and the arrival of the trailing edge of the object at the upstream end of the measuring zone.

A related object of this invention is to provide such improved method and apparatus in which the objects are on a moving carrier, in which the carrier is provided with a series of spaced zone markers and in which the velocity of the object is determined by measuring the time required for the carrier to move a predetermined distance defined by the spacing between successive zone markers.

It is a further related object of this invention to provide such method and apparatus in which each object is associated with one of the sequence of zone markers, and in which a gauging interval for a particular object is established at a predetermined relation to the arrival time of the zone marker for that object at a reference location.

The exact nature of this invention, together with other objects and advantages thereof will be apparent in consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 and 2 are generalized representations of one application of the invention;

FIGS. 3a 3f show the definition of the various time references pertinent to measurement according to this invention, and'also various waveforms explanatory of the method of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a gauging system of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a detailed block diagram of the system shown in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6a 6j, assembled in the manner shown in FIG. 6k is a detailed circuit diagram of an embodiment of the system of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram illustrative of the operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 6a through 6];

FIGS. 1 3 illustrate the manner in which disturbance of the measuring zone energy pattern is employed for dimensional measurement in accordance with this invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a series of spaced objects, three of which are shown at a, 20b, and 200, are supported on a conveyor 22, moving in the direction indicated, at a velocity V. For convenience of explanation, objects 20 are shown in the form of blocks having unknown dimensions D between a leading edge A and a trailing edge B, but it will be appreciated that objects of any configuration, and particularly, the bottles mentioned above may be measured by the techniques described.

The measuring system comprises an energy source 24 which produces the spatial energy pattern defining the measuring zone, a pair of measuring sensors 26A and 26B, a reference sensor 28, and gauging electronics 30, all mounted on a supporting structure 31 of any suitable nature.

The measuring zone is defined by an upstream energy beam B1 and a downstream energy beam B2 spaced by a distance D in the direction of conveyor motion, preferably equal to the anticipated nominal dimension of objects 20. In the illustrated embodiment, beams B1 and B2 are lightbeams, and sensors 26A and 26B are suitable photo-detectors, but it should be understood that other forms of electromagnetic energy or mechanical energy such as acoustic energy may be employed where feasible.

A recognizable disturbance of the energy pattern in the measuring zone can be produced by interception of light beams B1 and B2 by objects 20 as conveyor 22 moves along. Thus, energy source 24 is positioned to direct beams B1 and B2 across the path of objects 20 at a height h at which the dimensional measurement is to be made, with photosensors 26A and 26B positioned at the same height. Interception of beams B1 and B2 by the objects to be measured causes changes in the electrical outputs of sensors 26 A and 26B which are coupled over leads 32A and 328 to gauging electronics 30 for utilization in the measurement as hereinafter explained.

For the bottle diameter gauging application being described, objects having a nominal diameter of 2.500 inches are to be measured with an accuracy of 10.002 inch. To achieve such accuracy, beams B1 and B2 should have as small a cross section as possible. This is best achieved by employment of a laser as energy source 24, but an incandescent source and suitable collimating optics will also produce satisfactory results. Separate lasers may be employed, but a single laser and suitable beam splitting apparatus yields equally good results and is simpler and less costly.

Use of a laser light source (as against an incandescent source) has the additional advantage that the resulting light is monochromatic whereby narrow band optical sensors or filters may be conveniently employed to minimize the effect of background light at wavelengths other than that of the measuring beams.

In the illustrated embodiment, measurement is based on the time interval between arrival of the leading edge of a bottle at the downstream end of the measuring zone and the arrival of the trailing edge of the bottle at the upstream end of the measuring zone. Referring to FIGS. 3a 30, let a recurring-time frame begin, with time t= 0 when the leading edge A of bottle 20 reaches the upstream light ray B1. A time t=t is defined as the time the trailing edge B of the bottle reaches upstream light ray B1. A time t =t is defined as the time that leading edge A of the bottle reaches downstream light ray B2.

Assuming the bottle is travelling at a constant velocity V, then 2 1v)/( Therefore, a measurement representing deviation from the nominal dimension D can be obtained by measuring the time interval t t =A t= (D,vD V) 3 As will be appreciated from FIGS. 3a 30, if D =D then A i=0, i.e., t, =1

On the other hand, if D is less than D then trailing edge B will reach beam Bl before leading edge A reaches beam B2 and time will occur before time t If D is greater than D leading edge A will reach beam B2 before trailing edge B reaches beam B1, and time will occur before time Now, assume that it is possible to generate a voltage pulse having a duration equal to A t with positive polarity if t, occurs before t and negative polarity if t occurs after t These alternatives are shown in FIG. 3d, along with the case of a zero pulse width, corresponding to zero deviation or A t 0. All information needed to solve equation (3) above is contained in a pulse such as shown in FIG. 3d, assuming the velocity V is known, or can be determined as hereinafter explained.

For most convenient processing, deviation pulses such as illustrated in FIG. 3d are generated, and then converted into an amplitude analog signal by integration. The result, illustrated in FIG. 3e will be a ramp, with amplitude E defined by the relationship E =i-K A t. 4 The amplitude analog has a positive amplitude if t occurs before t a negative amplitude if t,, occurs after t and a zero amplitude if t, 2

Upon occurrence of the second of the two times t and t the integrator output is sampled, and from equation (3 As may be seen from equation (5), the accuracy of signal E as a representation of deviation between the actual and nominal dimension depends upon the accuracy with which the velocity V is known, or may be determined at times t and t If the velocity is constant, a simple scale factor may be employed to convert equation (5) to an actual dimension analog. However, where the velocity is subject to variation, an instantaneous value of velocity must be employed in solving equation (5).

A simple approach to velocity measurement would be to time the passage of leading edge A of the bottle between light beams B and B However, for gauging of transparent objects, refraction and/or other distorting effects make it preferable to avoid any unnecessary measurements on the bottle. For this reason, and also to facilitate timing of the measurement interval as hereinafter explained, velocity is determined by measuring the time required for conveyor 22 to travel a fixed distance.

Referring again to FIG. 1, conveyor 22 is provided with a series of zone markers, three of which are shown at 36a, 36b and 360, spaced along the conveyor at a distance corresponding to the object separation distance D The markers are constructed of a material lending itself to non-contact detection, and are secured to the conveyor in any suitable fashion. For example, the markers may be a series of metal flags positioned to pass in close proximity to reference sensor 28. The latter may be an eddy current pickup or other suitable device capable of providing an output in response to close passage of zone markers 36.

Since the markers are equally spaced along the conveyor by a distance D the time interval t between successive output signals from reference sensor 28 can be employed as a measure of the conveyor velocity in accordance with the relationship:

by the relationship:

2 2 s 2 s)/( a)/( (7) since D is constant.

Combining equations (5 and (7) Thus, by dividing a deviation analog signal which is a function of velocity by a velocity analog signal, the velocity dependence is eliminated.

For bottle diameter gauging, or for other applications where the object under inspection is transparent to the energy beams defining the measuring zone, accuracy of measurement is greatly enhanced by defining a short gauging interval of slightly greater duration than the anticipated time interval At. The gauging circuitry is activated only during the gauging interval. At all other times the measuring circuits are not responsive to variations of the sensor outputs. The measuring circuitry is preferably actuated just before the earliest possible occurrence of time t and t and is permitted to continue for a time slightly longer than the maximum possible interval At.

The foregoing is most conveniently accomplished by starting the gauging interval when the zone marker associated with a particular object being inspected reaches marker sensor 28. Referring to FIG. 1, this may easily be accomplished by locating the markers in a suitable position relative to the objects and by locating sensor 28 so that a marker reaches the sensor at the desired time.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the essential features of a bottle gauging system capable of providing the abovedescribed functions. Included are upstream and downstream gate circuits 40 and 42, dimension analog generator 44, velocity analog generator 46, analog divider 48, gauging control circuit 50, reset delay circuit 52, reset control circuit 54, and output utilization equipment 56.

The t, and t signals are provided by sensors 26A and 26B respectively, as input signals to gates 40 and 42. Control inputs for the gates are provided over lead 58 from gauging control circuit 50. During the gauging interval as described below, gates 40 and 42 are actuated and provide the t and t signals over leads 60 and 62, respectively, to dimension analog generator 44. This produces the E signal on lead 64 defined by equation (5 which is the amplitude analog of D -D The marker pulse signals are provided by sensor 28 as a control input for velocity analog generator 46. This circuit operates as an integrator having a fixed input, and thus generates a continuously growing ramp output. However, the circuit is adapted to be reset to zero by the marker pulse output of sensor 28 on lead 38. Since the maximum output level depends on the time between marker pulses, and this, in turn, depends on the time required for conveyor 22 to advance a predetermined distance, i.e., the velocity, the output signal on lead 66 is the velocity analog E defined by equation 7).

The E, and E signals on leads 64 and 66 are connected to analog divider 48 which operates to produce the E signal defined by equation (9). This, in turn, is connected over lead 68 to any suitable utilization equipment needed in the process being controlled. This could include, for example, recording equipment, alarm circuitry, feedback control equipment to correct process malfunctions, etc.

Sensing gates 40 and 42 are actuated only during a gauging interval in which occurrence of times t and t signals is anticipated. This is controlled by gauging control circuit 50. The latter is a two-state circuit which receives a first input from marker sensor 28 on lead 70 and a second input on lead 72 from downstream sensor 26B through delay circuit 52 representing a delayed version of the t signal. Gauging control circuit 50 responds to the marker pulse to turn on gates 40 and 42, an to the delayed t signal to turn off gates 40 and 42, thereby establishing the duration of the gauging interval. The delay produced by circuit 52 is slightly longer than the maximum anticipated time At. Thus, the gauging interval is of sufficient duration to complete a measurement whether the t or the t signal arrives first.

The output of delay circuit 52 is also connected over lead 74 as one input to reset control circuit 54, a second input to which is provided over lead 76 from upstream sensor 26A. Reset control circuit 54 provides a control signal on lead 78 for dimension analog generator 44. The delayed t signal causes dimension analog generator to be reset, returning the output signal E to a zero value in preparation for measure ment of the next object, while the signal from upstream sensor 26A causes dimension analog generator 44 to be reactivated when the next object actually enters the measuring zone.

FIG. shows a detailed block diagram of gauging system 30. Again, dimension measuring information is provided by energy sensors 26A and 26B, which may be photo-transistors, and the velocity and measuring interval control information is provided by marker sensor 28 which may be an eddy current pickup for purposes of illustration. As previously explained, upstream sensor 26A provides the signal while downstream sensor 26B provides the signal. Sensor 26A also provides a t signal for reset purposes as explained below.

The t, signal generating circuit includes an input pulse shaper 80, a signal gate 82 and a second shaping circuit 84, connected in series to the output of sensor 26A. The t, signal is generated by a circuit including a signal gate 86, and first and second pulse shapers 88 and 90 connected in series to the output of sensor 26B. The outputs of t, shaping circuit 84 and t shaping circuit 90 are connected as inputs to a pulse analog circuit 92 which operates to generate the positive or negative pulse width analog signal illustrated in FIG. 3d.

The pulse width analog signal is converted into the amplitude analog signal E defined by equation (5) by circuitry including a deviation integrator 94, a pulse sequence detector 96, zero deviation detector 98, sample and hold circuit 100, sample control circuit 102, pulse analog reset circuit 104, and integrator reset circuit 106.

Integrator 94 operates to convert the pulse analog by generating a ramp signal of increasing or decreasing amplitude, depending on the polarity of the pulse signal. The integrator output is provided as the signal input for sample and hold circuit 100.

Control of integrator 94 and sample and hold is provided by pulse sequence detector 96, and zero deviation detector 98. These circuits are connected in parallel with the inputs of pulse analog circuit 92 and operate in response to occurrence of the t, and t signals. Sequence detector 96 produces an output on lead 108 when t and t appear in sequence (irrespective of the order of occurence) to actuate sample control circuit 102, while zero deviation detector 98 actuates the sample control circuit over lead 110 when t 0, i.e., when t, =t When actuated, sample control circuit 102 operates sample and hold circuit l00to connect the output of integrator 94, i.e., the E signal, to an analog divider 112 which also receives the E signal as hereinafter described to produce the deviation analog signal E A second output of pulse sequence detector 96 is coupled over lead 114 to integrator reset circuit 106. This operates to return the output of deviation integrator 94 to a zero value in readiness for the next pulse width analog signal. The reset occurs just after sampling of the E signal by circuit 100 has been completed.

The output of marker sensor 28 is used to generate the speed analog signal 5;, and also to establish the measuring interval, as previously noted. The speed analog generating circuitry includes a selective delay circuit 116, an integrator control circuit 118, a speed integrator 120, a speed sample and hold circuit 122, and a sample control circuit 124.

Integrator includes an internal DC voltage source and operates to generate a continuously increasing ramp. The integrator is so constructed that an input signal on lead 126 from control circuit 118 resets integrator output to zero. Control circuit 118, in turn, operates in response to successive outputs of marker sensor 28. Control The output of marker sensor 28 is also connected to the input of speed sample control circuit 124, which operates speed sample and hold circuit 122 in response to each marker pulse. Note, however, that control circuit 124 operates directly responsive to the marker pulse, while integration control circuit 118 is operated through delay circuit 116. As explained below, delay circuit 116 provides both a direct (undelayed) and a delayed version of the marker pulse, the former being employed for establishing the gauging interval, and the latter to reset integrator 120.

As a result, the velocity integration period is slightly less than the time t as defined in equation (6). However, the delay is quite small, e.g., less than 0.001 sec., and for the bottle measuring embodiment being described, typical values of t would be 0.25 0.05 sec., so the error introduced is negligible.

The gauging interval control circuitry includes a gate control circuit 128, and a reset delay circuit 130. Gate control circuit 128 is a two-state device constructed to 1 be set in one state by the marker pulse over lead 132 from delay circuit 1 l6, and in a second state by the output of delay circuit 130 over lead 134. When in its first state, gate control circuit 128 provides a signal on leads 136 and 138 to activate gates 82 and 86 respectively in anticipation of the t, and signal outputs of sensors 26A and 26B.

The duration of the sensing interval is set by delay circuit 130 which responds to the t signal at the output of pulse shaper circuit 88 to switch gate control circuit 128 to its second state a predetermined time after the 1 signal. To provide for an adequate gauging interval when the signal occurs prior to the 1 signal, the delay introduced by circuit 130 is chosen to be slightly greater than the maximum anticipated (or acceptable) deviation interval At.

Delay circuit 130 also provides an input over lead 140 to pulse analog reset circuit 104, the latter being a two-state circuit like gate control circuit 128. Reset circuit 104 is adapted to be set to a first state by the output of delay circuit 130 and to its second state by the t signal from upstream sensor 26A provided through pulse shaper 80. In its first state, i.e., at the end of the gauging interval, reset circuit 104 provides a signal over lead 142 to turn off pulse analog circuit 92 and pulse sequence detector 96. The t signal causes reset circuit 104 to reactivate pulse analog circuit 92 and pulse sequence detector 96 in preparation for the next measurement.

The system illustrated in FIG. 5 also includes utilization equipment generally denoted at 56. Such equipment is connected to the E signal output of analog divider 112 circuits 144 and 146 may include an analog to digital converter 144, and a deviation limit sensor 146 as system outputs. These may be used for process control or other required functions.

The analog to digital converter is of any conventional or desired construction and operates to provide a digital format for the deviation information developed by the gauging system. Deviation limit sensor 146 is a threshold circuit of suitable construction and provides an output when the measured deviation exceeds a predetermined limit. This output may be employed to actuate a rejection mechanism or for any other desired purpose.

Utilization equipment 56 may also include a failure warning monitor 148 comprised of a missing pulse detector 150, a zero deviation inhibit circuit 152, a deviation threshold detector 154, a failure warning limit sensor 156, and a failure warning alarm 158. Monitor 148 serves as an indication of proper gauging system operation, and provides an alarm indication in the case of malfunction.

Missing pulse detector 150 is connected to the output of the t pulse shaper 88 and provides an output to the failure warning alarm 158 if a t pulse does not appear within the expected time period. A failure alarm is also provided if the level of E signal exceeds a predetermined magnitude (indicating an impossibly oversized or undersized product), or is zero for some Arizona. For example, the device labeled OAl l in FIG. 6a is a two input operational amplifier, series MC1433; device FF 11 in FIG. 6a is a set-reset flip flop series MC413, etc. (The prefix MC has been omitted throughout.)

GAUGING SIGNAL GENERATION Referring to FIGS. 6a and 6b, measuring inputs are provided on leads 32A and 32B from upstream sensor 26A and downstream sensor 28B, respectively, while the marker input is provided over lead 38 from sensor 28. Waveforms (a) through (c) in FIG. 7 represent the sensor outputs for two successive articles passing through the measuring zone. Waveforms (a) and (b) illustrate the case of D being less than D i.e., a situation in which times t, occur prior to times t for both objects in the sequence.

As will be recalled, time t represents the moment that the trailing edge of the object reaches the upstream end of the measuring zone, and time represents the moment that the leading edge of an object reaches the downstream end of the measuring zone. Thus, at time t upstream sensor 26A will be illuminated, and at time t downstream sensor B will be occulted. This is indicated in waveform 7(a) by an increase in the signal level at time t and in waveform 7(b) by a drop in the signal level at time Similarly, it will be recalled that time t represents the moment the leading edge of an object reaches the upstream end of the measuring zone, causing sensor 26a to be occulted. This is indicated in waveform 7( a) by a drop in the signal level at time t As previously mentioned, the marker associated with a particular object is positioned to actuate marker sensor 28 at a time t just prior to the earliest possible occurrence of either time t or This is indicated in waveform 7(a) by an increase in signal level at the times t just prior to times for the objects associated with the waveforms 7(a) and 7(b). At predetermined times t later, the measuring interval is terminated by passage of the marker out of the sensitive range for pickup 28 as indicated by the decreased signal level in waveform 7(c) at these times. However, the time interval t t is selected to be slightly greater than the expected maximum value for At. Thus the measurement will be completed before time t as hereinafter explained, and termination of the gauging interval ordinarily does not affect system operation.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE GAUGING INTERVAL Circuit actuation in response to the t signal is controlled by transistor gates 82 and 86 (FIGS. 6a and 6b) selective delay circuit 116 and gate control circuit 128 (1 16.60).

Delay circuit 116 includes an input diode D51, and a transistor Q51 having an RC base bias circuit comprised of resistors R301 and R311 and capacitor C121. Gate control circuit 128 comprises a SET-RESET flip flop FF21 and a resistance-diode switching circuit comprised of diodes D21, D31 and D41, and resistors R271 and R281. The latter provides common base bias for transistors Q11 and Q21 in signal gate 82 and 86 (FIGS. 6a and 6b) over leads 160, 136 and 138.

Flip flop FF21 is set by a negative going signal at terminal and is reset by a negative going signal at terminal 3. In the SET state, the output at terminal 11 is high and in the RESET state, the output is low.

As indicated by waveform 7(c), the signal level on lead 38 is low except during the gauging interval. Diode D51 is normally forward biased and provides a current path through resistor R301 and the sensor circuit from the positive power supply. Capacitor C121 is charged so the voltage at the base of transistor Q51 is zero and the transistor is cut 011'. With transistor Q51 cut off, the voltage at terminal 3 of flip flop FF21 is high. This is shown by waveform 7(d).

As explained hereinafter, flip flop FF21 is set by a signal from delay circuit 130 in response to the t signal. The high output signal back biases diode D41, providing a current path from the positive supply voltage through diodes D31 and D21 and resistor R281. The positive voltage across resistor R281 turns on signal gate transistors Q11 and Q21 (see FIGS. 6a and 6b). The voltage across resistor R281 is shown by waveform 7 (e).

With transistors Q11 and Q21 turned on, substantially zero voltage is maintained on leads 164 and 165,

respectively. This prevents passage of signal outputs of I sensors 26A and 26B to the gauging circuits as hereinafter explained.-

At time t the voltage on lead 38 resets (see waveform 7(0)), back biasing diode D51 (FIG; 60). Capacitor C121 charges, providing a current path from the positive supply through resistor R301, capacitor C121, and resistor R311. This provides base bias for transistor Q51 which begins to conduct. The collector voltage drops, and a negative going pulse is provided at RESET terminal 3 of flip flop FF21, as shown by waveform 7(d). FF21 is reset, and the output voltage at terminal 1 1 drops to zero. Diode D41 is forward biased, and the current flow through resistor R281 ceases, causing the voltage on lead 160 to drop to zero. [See waveform 7(e).] With zero base bias, transistors Q11 and Q21 are turned off which removes the shunt from leads 164 and 165. This permits gauging signals from sensors 26A and 268 to reach the remainder of the gauging circuitry INPUT CIRCUIT'RY FOR SENSORS 26A and 26B Sensor 26A is connected to a series input circuit comprised of pulse shaper 80, previously described signal gate 82, and a second shaper circuit 84 (see FIGS. 6a and 6d). Pulse shaper 80 is comprised of an operational amplifier OA11 having a input terminal 5 coupled to the output of sensor 26A, and a input terminal 4 coupled to the positive power supply through a voltage divider comprised of resistors R61, R71 and R81. A signal output is provided at terminal 1 1. Positive feedback is also provided to input 5 by resistor R1 1.

Operational amplifier OA11 is so constructed that if the input exceeds the input, the output will be positive but if the input exceeds the input, then the output will be negative.

Thus, referring to waveform 7(a), with a zero signal prior to the first time the input at terminal 4 exceeds that at terminal 5, so the output at terminal 11 is negative. This is reinforced by the positive feedback through resistor Rll which maintains the input below the input.

When the input 5 goes high at time [see waveform 7(a)] the input exceeds the input and output 11 becomes positive. The positive feedback causes the to go further positive, thereby causing output 11 to switch rapidly, to its fully positive condition. Amplifier output 11 remains high until the input again falls, which occurs at time t as shown by waveform 7(a). At that time output 11 returns to its negative state with positive feedback through resistor R11 assuming rapid transition. The output signal pattern for amplifier OA11 is shown by waveform 7(f).

As shown in FIGS. 6a and 6d, the output of amplifier OA11 is connected by lead 164 and a series RC circuit comprised of resistor R21 and capacitor C31, across a resistor R32 to the input terminal 8 of a second operational amplifier OA12a. The latter is constructed and operates in the same manner as amplifier OA11 described above. An output terminal 12 is coupled through a series resistor R22, a shunt circuit comprised of resistor R42 and diode D12, and stage a of an invertercircuit INVl as the t, input to pulse analog circuit 92 as hereinafter explained.

The input to amplifier OAl2a, and thus the t input to pulse analog circuit 92 depends on signal gate 82, as well as on the C31 R21 RC circuit.

Thus, as indicated by waveforms 7(a), 7(c), 7(f) and 7(g) prior to time t the output of sensor 26A is zero so output 11 of OA11 is negative. Capacitor C31 is charged so the voltage across R32 (FIG. 6d) is zero [see waveform 7( and the output of amplifier OA12a is negative. (In addition, transistor Q1 1 is on as explained, so the voltage on R32 is zero in any event.)

The negative amplifier output forward biases diode D12 and results in a zero input voltage to stage a of inverter INVl, which, in turn, produces a high output at circuit test point TPI. This is indicated by waveform 7(h).

At time t transistor Q11 turns off, but the output of amplifier OA11 is still zero [see waveform 7(1)]. Thus, TPI remains unchanged. However, at time [see waveform (a)] sensor 26A switches to a high level, and the output of the amplifier goes positive as previously described. Capacitor C31 passes the positive transient [see waveform 7(g)] and the input 8 of amplifier OA12a goes high. The resulting positive output across resistor R22 back biases diode D12, and provides a positive input for stage a of inverter INV 1. Circuit testpoint TPI goes negative as indicated by waveform 7( h).

As capacitor C31 (FIG. 6a) charges through resistors R21 and R32, voltage across resistor R32 falls from its positive level. When this voltage falls below the level established by resistors R52 and R62 at the input, amplifier OA12a returns to its negative output level. Diode D12 is again forward biased and the output of stage a of INVl at circuit point TPI again goes positive. 

1. A method oF measuring a dimension of an object being carried through a measuring zone on a conveyor comprising: establishing first and second energy beams transverse to the path of motion of said conveyor to define the boundaries of the measuring zone, said beams being so spaced along said path as to be intercepted in order by said object as it passes through said measuring zone; generating a first electrical signal analog of the duration of a first time interval between the interception of the leading edge of said object with said second beam and the interception of the trailing edge of said object with said first beam; generating a second electrical signal analog of the travel time interval required for said conveyor to move a predetermined distance; establishing a gauging interval commencing prior to the beginning of said first time interval and terminating a predetermined time thereafter; inhibiting generation of said first electrical signal analog except during said gauging interval; and processing said first and second signal analogs to generate a third electrical signal analog representative of the ratio of said first time interval and said travel time interval.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein: said step of generating said first signal analog comprises generating a pulse, the pulse width of which is functionally related to the duration of said first time interval, and converting said pulse to a signal, the amplitude of which is functionally related to said pulse width; wherein said step of generating said second signal analog comprises generating a signal, the amplitude of which is functionally related to said travel time interval; and wherein said step of processing said first and second signal analogs comprises dividing said first signal analog by said second signal analog.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the conversion of said pulse is accomplished by electrically integrating said pulse and measuring the level of the resulting integral upon termination of the pulse.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said pulse is generated with fixed amplitude and of one polarity if the leading edge of said object intercepts said second beam before the trailing edge of said object intercepts said first beam, and of opposite polarity if the trailing edge of said object intercepts said first beam before the leading edge of said object intercepts said second beam.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of generating said second signal analog comprises: positioning a pair of markers on said conveyor and spaced along said conveyor in the direction of motion thereof by said predetermined distance; sensing the passage of said markers at a predetermined location relative to said measuring zone; generating a continuously growing electrical signal; and sampling and then resetting said signal to zero level whenever one of said markers passes said predetermined location.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of establishing said gauging interval comprises permitting generation of said first signal analog upon passage of one marker at said predetermined location; and preventing generation of said first signal analog from a predetermined time after passage of said one marker until passage of another marker.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of establishing said first and second energy beams comprises generating a pair of light beams of small cross section and impinging said beams on a pair of optical sensors.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of generating a pair of light beams comprises comprising generating a pair of coherent and essentially monochromatic light beams of small cross-section and impinging said beams on said pair of optical sensors.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein said first signal analog is generated in response to variations of the signal outputs of said optical sensors.
 10. A method of measuring a dimension of an object being carried through a measuring zone on a conveyor comprising: establishing first and second energy beams at a pRedetermined spacing transverse to the path of motion of said conveyor to define the boundaries of the measuring zone, said beams being so spaced along said path as to be intercepted in order by said object as it passes through said measuring zone; generating a first electrical signal the amplitude of which is representative of the duration of a first time interval between the interception of the leading edge of said object with the second beam and the interception of the trailing edge of said object with said first beam; generating a second signal, the amplitude of which is representative of the time required for said conveyor to travel a predetermined distance; and dividing said first signal by said second signal to generate a third signal representative of the difference between the measured dimension and the predetermined spacing between said energy beams.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein: said step of generating said first electrical signal comprises generating a pulse, the pulse width of which is representative of the duration of said first time interval, and converting said pulse to said first electrical signal by electrically integrating said pulse and measuring the level of the resulting integral upon termination of the pulse.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said pulse is generated with fixed amplitude and of one polarity if the leading edge of said object intercepts said second beam before the trailing edge of said object intercepts said first beam, and of opposite polarity if the trailing edge of said object intercepts said first beam before the leading edge of said object intercepts said second beam.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of generating said second signal analog comprises: positioning at least two markers on said conveyor and spaced along said conveyor in the direction of motion thereof by said predetermined distance; sensing the passage of said markers at a predetermined location relative to said measuring zone; generating a continuously growing electrical signal; and sampling and then resetting said signal to zero level whenever one of said markers passes said predetermined location.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of establishing said first and second energy beams comprises generating a pair of light beams of small cross section and impinging said beams on a pair of optical sensors.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of generating a pair of light beams comprises generating a pair of coherent and essentially monochromatic light beams of small cross-section and impinging said beams on said pair of optical sensors.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein said first signal analog is generated in response to variations of the signal outputs of said optical sensors.
 17. Non-contact gauging apparatus for measuring a dimension of an object being carried through a measuring zone on a conveyor comprising: energy source means for generating first and second energy beams extending transversely to the direction of conveyor motion and spaced apart along said direction to define the boundaries of the measuring zone; first and second sensors disposed in the path of said energy beams to provide respective first and second output signals in response to impingement of the respective beams thereon; means for supporting said energy source means and said sensors in fixed relation to said conveyor whereby said energy beams will be intercepted and said sensing means occulted in order as said object passes through said measuring zone; third sensor means positioned in fixed relation to said first and second sensors; at least two object markers on said conveyor and spaced along said conveyor in the direction of motion thereof, said third sensor means providing a marker signal when one of said markers passes in proximity to said sensor; first circuit means responsive to said first and second output signals to provide a first analog signal of the duration of a first time interval between the interception of the leading edge of said object with said second energy beam and the interception of the trailing edge of said object with said first energy beam; second circuit means connected to said third sensor means to generate a second signal analog of the time interval between successive marker signals; and third circuit means connected to the output of said first and second circuit means for generating a third signal representative of the difference between the measured dimension of said object and the spacing between said energy beams.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said first circuit means comprises means for generating a pulse, the pulse width of which is representative of the duration of said first time interval, integrating means coupled to the output of said pulse generating means, and means responsive to the termination of said pulse for measuring the level of the integrator output to provide said first signal analog.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said pulse generating means generates a pulse of fixed amplitude and of one polarity if the leading edge of said object intercepts said second energy beam before the trailing edge of said object intercepts said first energy beam, and of opposite polarity if the trailing edge of said object intercepts said first energy beam before the leading edge of said object intercepts said second energy beam.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said second circuit means comprises: signal generating means for generating a continuously growing electrical signal; means responsive to a marker signal for sampling the output of said signal generating means to produce said second signal analog, and means for resetting said signal generating means output to zero level a predetermined time after said output has been sampled.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said energy source means comprises optical means for generating a pair of light beams of small cross section and for directing said beams to impinge on said first and second sensors.
 22. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said optical means comprises a laser.
 23. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 further including first and second gating circuits coupling said first and second sensors to said first circuit means, and gate control means coupled to said third sensor and responsive to a marker signal to actuate first and second gate circuits for a predetermined interval.
 24. Apparatus as defined in claim 23 further including means coupling the output of said second sensor to said gate control means to turn off said gating circuits a predetermined time after the interception of the leading edge of said object with said second energy beam.
 25. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said first circuit means comprises a pulse analog circuit including: means connected to said first sensing means and responsive to the interception of the trailing edge of an object with said first energy beam to generate a first intermediate signal of one polarity; means connected to the output of said second sensor and responsive to the interception of the leading edge of said object with said second energy beam to generate a second intermediate signal of polarity opposite to that of first intermediate signal; means for maintaining said first and second intermediate signals at equal but opposite amplitude; and common output means for said first and second intermediate signals to produce a pulse analog signal having a fixed amplitude and of said one polarity if the trailing edge of said object intercepts said first energy beam before the leading edge of said object intercepts said second energy beam, and having opposite polarity if the leading edge of said object intercepts said second energy beam before the trailing edge of said object intercepts said first energy beam, the duration of said pulse analog signal being a function of said first time interval.
 26. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said first circuit means further comprises integrating means couplEd to the output of said pulse analog circuit and means responsive to the termination of said pulse for measuring the level of the integrator output to provide said first signal analog.
 27. Apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein said second circuit comprises a second integrator, means coupling said second integrator to a constant input signal level, means coupled to said third sensor and responsive to a marker signal for sampling the output of said second integrator to produce said second signal analog, and means for resetting said integrator output to a zero level a predetermined time after said output has been sampled.
 28. Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said third circuit means comprises means for generating a third analog signal representative of the ratio of said first and second analog signals.
 29. Non-contact gauging apparatus for measuring a dimension of an object being carried through a measuring zone by a conveyor comprising: energy source means for generating first and second energy beams extending transversely to the direction of conveyor motion and spaced apart along said direction to define the boundaries of the measuring zone; first and second sensors disposed in the paths of said energy beams to provide respective first and second output signals in response to impingement of the respective beams thereon; means for supporting said energy source means and said sensors in fixed relation to said conveyor whereby said energy beams will be intercepted and said sensing means occulted in order as said object passes through said measuring zone; third sensor means positioned in fixed relation to said first and second sensors, for providing a third signal representative of the speed of said conveyor; first circuit means responsive to said first and second output signals to provide a first analog signal of the duration of a first time interval between the interception of the leading edge of said object with said second energy beam and the interception of the trailing edge in said object with said first energy beam; second circuit means connected to said third sensor means to generate a second signal analog of a time interval corresponding to a predetermined movement of said conveyor; and third circuit means connected to the output of said first and second circuit means for generating a third signal representative of the dimension of the object under inspection.
 30. Apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said third circuit means generates said third signal as an analog of the difference between the measured dimension of the object and the spacing between the energy beams.
 31. A method of measuring a dimension of an object being carried through a measuring zone on a conveyor comprising: establishing first and second energy beams at a predetermined spacing transverse to the path of motion of said conveyor to define the boundaries of the measuring zone, said beams being so spaced along said path as to be intercepted in order by said object as it passes through said measuring zone; generating a first electrical signal the amplitude of which is representative of the duration of a first time interval between the interception of the leading edge of said object with the second beam and the interception of the trailing edge of said object with said first beam; generating a second signal, the amplitude of which is representative of the time required for said conveyor to travel a predetermined distance; and processing said first and second signals to generate a third signal representative of the dimension of the object under inspection.
 32. A method of measuring a dimension DA of an object being carried through a measuring zone at a velocity V on a conveyor comprising: establishing first and second energy beams transverse to the path of motion of said conveyor at a predetermined spacing DN along said path of motion to define the boundaries of the measuring zone, said beams being so positioned relative to said path as to bE intercepted by said object as it passes through said measuring zone; generating a first electrical signal establishing a time reference (t 0) when the leading edge of the object reaches the upstream end of the measuring zone; generating a signal analog of the time interval t1 (DA)/(V) where t1 is the time required for the trailing edge of said object to reach the upstream end of the measuring zone; generating a signal analog of the time interval t2 (DN)/(V) where t2 is the time required for the leading edge of the object to reach the downstream end of the measuring zone; generating a signal analog of the difference between times t1 and t2; generating a signal analog of a time interval ts DS/V, where ts is the time required for said conveyor to travel a known distance DS; and dividing said (t1 - t2) analog signal by said ts analog signal to generate a signal representative of the dimensional difference (DN-DA.) 